proffitt



Fei 21, 1956 J PROFFITT 2,735,126

MOP HOLDER HAVING CLAMPING JAWS Filed Jan. 25. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l 5 34 uni, O O O O Aim 1 o O o O 0 Q .0 O o FIG.6.

O O O 023 O O 17 0 0 0 OOFHG.3. .li L 25 '25 INVENTOR JOHN R. ROFFITT FIG.4'. 2? 25 ATTOR NEY 1956 J. R. PROFFITT MOP HOLDER HAVING CLAMPING JAWS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 Filed Jan. 25. 1952 INVENTUR JOHN R. PROF'F'ITT 607W ATTORNEY 2,735,126 MOP HOLDER HAVING CLAMPING JAWS John R. Protiitt, Dalton, Ga. Application January 25, 1952, Serial No. 268,167 4 Claims. (Cl. 15-147) My invention relates to mops for treating floors, walls or other surfaces.

An important object of the invention is to provide a mop of the above-mentioned character having a head for receiving and holding the mop element formed of chenille or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mop head section having means for securely holding a mop element or pad thereon while such head section is being applied to a companion head section.

A further object of the invention is to provide one head section with pointed elements or teeth, spaced a considerable distance apart, so that the marginal edge portions of the mop element may have the teeth conveniently forced through the same for etfecting a proper attachment.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a mop embodying my invention, the wringer assembly being shown in the raised inactive position,

Figure 2 is a bottom ner head section,

Figure 3 is a plan view of section,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a horizontal broken section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 8,

Figure 6 is a vertical broken section taken on line 66 of Figure 7,

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the head of the mop and associated elements,

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 88 of Figure 1,

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the frame included in the wringer assembly,

Figure 10 is a vertical 1010 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a horizontal broken section taken on line 1111 of Figure 9, and,

Figure 12 is a plan view of a mop element or head.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 15 designates a mop head formed in upper and lower sections 16 and 17. These sections are preferably formed of sheet metal and they are stiff and suitably resilient. The upper section 16 comprises a fiat top 18, carrying depending sides 19, which diverge down wardly and may be slightly curved in cross section, as shown. Formed integral with the lower or outer edges of the sides 19 are horizontal shoulders 20, having resilient locking flanges or jaws 21 formed integral therewith. These locking jaws diverge downwardly, and have ends 22, which are inclined and converge downwardly.

plan view of the upper or inthe lower or outer head broken section taken on line The lower head section 17 includes a bottom 23, which is generally straight and preferably slightly curved in cross section, as shown. This bottom 23 has apertures 23'. This bottom has sides 24 formed integral therewith, and these sides diverge upwardly and have horizontal shoulders 25 formed integral therewith and facing inwardly to be arranged beneath the shoulders 20, Figure 8. The shoulders 25 are provided at their inner edges with looking flanges or jaws 26, which extend downwardly and are inclined and diverge downwardly, Figure 8. The resilient locking jaws 21 are adapted to be inwardly compressed and forced between the jaws 0r flanges 26 and will detachably interlock with these jaws 26 whereby the head section 16 is detachably secured to the head section 17.

At their opposite ends, the shoulders 20, Figures 2 and 6, have vertical tongues 27 stamped therefrom and these tongues are adapted for insertion within notches 28 formed in the opposite ends of the shoulders 25, Figures 3 and 6.

The resilient jaws 26 of the lower head section are each provided with depending sharp teeth 29, Figures 4 and 8, which are spaced a considerable distance apart so that the finger may be pressed between them. These teeth are employed for holding a mop element or pad in place upon the lower head section 17, while the lower head section is being applied to the upper head section 16.

The top 18 of the upper head section has a socket 30 arranged centrally thereof and rigidly secured thereto by bolts 31 or by welding or other suitable means. This socket is screw-threaded for receiving a handle 32.

The mop element or pad, Figure 12, is preferably formed of chenille and embodies a fabric base 33 and tufting 34. The fabric base has marginal zones 35, free from tufting, and these zones are passed between the shoulders 20 and 25 and also between the jaws 21 and 26 and are engaged by the sharp teeth 29.

A wringer assembly is provided comprising a U- shaped frame 36, including a transverse portion 37 and end portions 38. These end portions have outwardly projecting pairs of flanges 39, forming tubular housings. The outer ends of the end portions 38 are apertured, at 40, for receiving pivots 41, passing through apertures in knuckles 42, which are carried by the top 18 and bent downwardly at right angles to the same. The side portions 38 have lugs or extensions 43 stamped outwardly therefrom for attachment with retractile coil springs 44, arranged within the tubular guards formed by the flanges 39, and having loops 45 at their opposite ends rotatably receiving pins 46, rigidly secured to a wringer roll 47. The pins 46 extend through elongated slots 43 in the sides 38. The tubular guards formed by the flanges 39 protect furniture or the like from being scratched by contact with the extensions 43, springs 44 and pins 46. The U-shaped frame has an operating handle 49 rigidly secured to the longitudinal center of the transverse portion 36, as shown.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When it is desired to apply the lower head section 17 to the upper head section 16, one end of the bottom 23 may be disposed adjacent to the corresponding end of the top 18, so that the tongues 27 will enter the notches 28, when one end of the head section 17 is pressed toward the head section 16. The head section 17 has the remainder of its length pressed toward the head section 16, and the upper and lower head sections are locked together by the locking jaws 21 and 26, Figure 10. The tongues 27 at the opposite ends of the upper head section 16 prevent relative longitudinal movement between the upper and lower head sections. Before the lower head section 17 is applied to the upper head section 16, the mop element 33 is applied to the head section 17. The fabric base 33 of the mop element is arranged upon the outer face of the bottom 23 and sides 24 and the marginal edge portions 35 are applied to the upper faces of the shoulders 25 and are passed about the locking jaws 26 and over the teeth 29. Since these teeth are sharp and spaced apart for a substantial distance, they may be readily forced into the fabric since the finger may press the fabric against the jaw 26, between the teeth. In this manner, the teeth will be passed through and beyond the fabric base and the mop element will have its opposite marginal portions 35 secured to the lower head section so that the mop element will be held in place upon such lower head section when it is applied to the upper head section 16, the marginal edges 35 being arranged between the shoulders 20 and 25 and the locking jaws 21 and 26, as is obvious. After the lower head section 17 has been separated from the upper head section, the mop element may be separated from the lower head section, as is obvious.

When the mop element is held upon the mop head 15, as explained, and should it be desired to wring water from the mop element, the wringer assembly which is normally in the position shown in Figure 8, with the wringer roll 47 engaging the top 18 oi the upper head section 16, is swung counterclockwise. The wringer roll 47 will now travel about the head and over the mop element 33 and squeeze the water out of the tufting 34. The springs 44 permit of the lateral movement of the wringer roll 47 and cause the same to yieldingly press against the mop element. The construction is such that the wringer roll 47 is self-adjusting for mop elements of difierent thicknesses. The wringer roll 47 is retained in position, when not in use, by the tension of the springs.

The invention is not restricted to the particular type of mop element employed, as different mop elements may be used, and other mop elements or pads held upon the mop head, such as pads including steel wool, sandpaper, sponge elements or the like.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A mop holder comprising an upper hollow head section including a top and depending; generally vertical sides and generally horizontal wide shoulders projecting inwardly from the sides, a lower hollow head section comprising a bottom and upwardly extending sides and generally horizontal wide shoulders projecting inwardly from such sides, the generally horizontal wide shoulders of the lower head section being arranged beneath the generally wide horizontal shoulders of the upper head section and serving to clamp portions of a mop element between the same, generally vertical locking jaws carried by the inner edges of the shoulders of the upper head section and depending below the same and having angularly arranged portions, and generally vertical locking jaws carried by the inner edges of the shoulders of the lower head section and depending below such shoulders and arranged outwardly of the first-named locking jaws for interlocking coaction therewith.

2. A mop holder comprising an upper head section including a top and generally vertical sides and generally horizontal shoulders projecting inwardly from the sides, a lower head section comprising a bottom and upwardly extending sides and generally horizontal shoulders projecting inwardly from said sides, the generally horizontal shoulders of the lower head section being arranged be neath the generally horizontal shoulders of the upper head section and serving to clamp portions of a mop element between the same, generally vertical locking jaws carried by the inner edges of the shoulders of the upper head section, generally vertical locking jaws carried by the shoulders of the lower head section and arranged outwardly of the first-named locking jaws for interlocking coaction, the locking jaws of the lower head section being provided at their free edges with teeth for engagement with portions of the mop element.

3. A mop holder comprising an upper hollow head section including a top and depending generally vertical sides and generally horizontal Wide shoulders projecting inwardly from the sides, a lower hollow head section comprising a bottom and upwardly extending generally vertical sides and generally horizontal wide shoulders projecting inwardly from such sides, the generally horizontal wide shoulders arranged beneath the generally wide horizontal shouders of the upper head section and serving to clamp portions of a mop element between the same, generally vertical locking jaws carried by the inner edges of the shoulders of the upper head section and depending below the same and having angularly arranged portions, and generally vertical locking jaws carried by the inner edges of the shoulders of the lower head section and depending below such shoulders and arranged outwardly of the first-named locking jaws for interlocking coaction therewith, the ing jaws of the lower head section being provided at their lower edges with teeth for engagement with the mop element, said teeth being confined entirely within the lower hollow head section.

4. A mop holder comprising an upper head section including a top and generally vertical sides and generally horizontal shoulders projecting inwardly from the sides, 7

said shoulders being provided near their opposite ends with depending tongues, a lower head section comprising a bottom and upwardly extending generally vertical sides and generally horizontal shoulders projecting inwardly from such sides, said shoulders of the lower head section being provided near their ends with notches to receive the tongues carried by the shoulders of the upper head section, the generally horizontal shoulders of the lower head section being arranged beneath the generally horizontal shoulders of the upper head section and serving to clamp portions of a mop element between the same, generally vertical resilient locking jaws carried by the shoulders of the upper head section, generally vertical locking jaws carried by the shoulders of the lower head section for coaction with the first-named locking aws. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS of the lower head section being' lock- 

